It could be “the summer break” – or even longer – before Mercedes manage to solve the problems that will keep the reigning champions behind Ferrari and Red Bull in 2022. “I don’t think there is a significant difference between the power units of the different manufacturers, although Ferrari’s progress is obvious,” he said. The team boss also said engineers will “take a chainsaw” to the 2022 car’s rear wing before this weekend’s Saudi Arabian GP to tackle drag. According to George Russell, however, the biggest problem is the porpoising caused by the new ground effect cars. “It’s promising to see that other cars have had the same issue and they managed to solve it which means there is a solution there,” Russell said.

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